Accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induces the stress response to protect cells against toxicity by the unfolded protein response (UPR), heat shock response (HSR), and ER-associated degradation pathways. Here, we found that over-production of C-terminally truncated multi-transmembrane (MTM) mutant proteins triggers HSR, but not UPR, and clearance of yeast prions [PSI(+)] and [URE3]. One of the mutant MTM proteins, Dip5ΔC-v82, produces a disabled amino-acid permease. Fluorescence microscopy analysis revealed abnormal accumulation of Dip5ΔC-v82 in the ER. Importantly, the mutant defective in the GET pathway, which functions for ER membrane insertion of tail-anchored proteins, failed to translocate Dip5ΔC-v82 to the ER and disabled Dip5ΔC-v82-mediated prion clearance. These findings suggest that the GET pathway plays a pivotal role in quality assurance of MTM proteins, and entraps misfolded MTM proteins into ER compartments, leading to loss-of-prion through a yet undefined mechanism.

• PMID: 23384482
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Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Authors

Arai C, Kurahashi H, Ishiwata M, Oishi K, Nakamura Y

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